Malayalam language be made compulsory in schools: Panel

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 (PTI) A committee set up bythe Kerala Government has proposed that teaching Malayalam atall levels of school education be made compulsory in thestate.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said the Cabinettoday approved in principle the recommendations of the panelheaded by educationist Dr R V G Menon.

The State Council for Educational Research andTraining (SCERT) had been asked to submit suggestions forimplementation of the panel''s proposals, he said.

The Committee also recommended restructuring theperiods in school classes to give due importance to the mothertongue of Malayalis.

It was set up amid concerns of Malayalam learninglosing importance at school levels following proliferation ofEnglish medium schools in the state.

The committee report has come at a time when the statehas been pressuring the Centre to accord classical status toMalayalam.

Recently, a panel headed by Jnanpith laureate O N VKurup had said in a report that Malayalam meets all theparameters for getting classical status like antiquity and aliterary tradition that has evolved through centuries andgrammatical features.